Man of the Match- Laurie Newnes
Goal of the Match- All four worthy of a mention as they showed great team play, and predatory finishing
Save of the Match- Two saves down low in each corner by Dan on very unpredicatbale terrain
Moment of the Match- Mark’s pre match team talk
Martin Luther King once said “I have a dream!” Mark Baulsom delivered a speech of similar magnitude before Bexley’s crucial match at home to Sporting St George. The team were no doubt inspired by such words, and rumours are Roy Hodgson may be using Baulsom’s motivational techniques in Brazil next summer.
The pitch was disgusting, broken up and dry. Both teams were forced into some Sunday morning gardening before kick-off. Louis dropped to the bench as Laurie came in, and James Hall returned for the absent MJ. Sean Jobson faced his old club.
Bexley asserted control of the match early on showing a significant improvement of confidence in every area of the pitch. Sporting were not to be underestimated and were also threatening when attacking via the flanks, but there was no end product. Bexley’s not so secret scouting had identified the Sporting keeper as a weakness, however he saved well from both Lee and James early on. Bexley continued to deliver balls into the box but either no player or the wrong player was on the end of it. James Hall would have a few sighters/misplaced passes at goal throughout the half.
Bexley would take a deserved lead with a slick team goal. After winning most of the physical battle with Sean in the midfield Laurie found himself on the right. He centred the ball to Elton who broke free of the defender and needed one touch to finish from close range. Bexley’s on form striker could have hand a first half hat-trick, but he unfortunately he frightened himself with the standard of his first touch, and then connected with a close range volley too well launching the ball over the bar.
Dan got his gloves dirty after 44 minutes, when a long ball almost caught him out but the striker volleyed the ball straight at the Bexley keeper. Lee decided it was safer to stare at the ball as it bounced just outside the ball, and then compound this by kicking the ball out of Dan’s hands for good measure.
The atmosphere at half time was a mixture of confidence, caution and Vitamin C. Bexley were more than worthy of their lead but knew they needed another goal to see the result safe. Sporting offered nothing more in the final third as Bexley’s commitment in midfield was a major contributing factor to the overall result, and the back 5 having one of the most comfortable games they will ever have.
Elton netted his fourth goal in 2 games when a supremely accurate cross from James led to the inform striker tapping in at the far post. Bexley’s confidence was given a further boost, Sporting’s morale was sinking like the Titanic as internal frustration was evident. Two became three and was a reverse of the opening goal. Elton centred the ball this time and Laurie capped a solid midfield performance with a goal of his own.
Elton may be frustrated that illusive hat-trick did slip away in this match, as two further chances went a begging and there was some sarcastic chanting coming from one Davenport-Braes from the sidelines.
Louis who had come on for the battered Matty B at half time set up Laurence for Bexley final goal just over 15 minutes from time, as the striker showed remarkable commitment inside the crowded penalty area to force the ball home after a couple of attempts.
Josh then entered the frae, and after a dedicated tackle in the middle of the park, almost turned to the dark side by clearing a ball directly towards his own goal. Dan maintained his concentration in a quiet game and played safe with two low saves which may have gone wide, sensible as the ball could have bounced anywhere on that pitch. Some of the back seat goalkeepers within the squad failed to understand the logic. A finger tip save from a free kick onto the bar maintained a well deserved clean sheet for the team.
A solid performance putting Bexley into third place a point beyond Barca, owed in no small part to the constant communication from back to front throughout the game. The end of season clash with Barca is looking more and more important each week.
